Information

Global Taxonomy Initiative:  development of the process and the guidelines for the in-depth review of the programme of work and outline of the Global Taxonomy Initiative guide

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

1.      Welcomes the proposed process and guidelines for the in-depth review of the implementation of the programme of work for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) put forward by the Executive Secretary in collaboration with the Coordination Mechanism for the Initiative, as contained in annex I to the present recommendation;

2.      Requests the Executive Secretary to:

(a)      Carry out the activities described in the annex I to the present recommendation, also taking into account the report of the Coordination Mechanism for the Global Taxonomy Initiative, and to report thereon to the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its eleventh meeting; and

(b)      Develop an Internet-based portal dedicated to the Global Taxonomy Initiative in collaboration with the Coordination Mechanism for the initiative under the clearing-house mechanism of the Convention;

3.      Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to contribute information needed for the review;

4.      Endorses the outline of the Global Taxonomy Initiative guide as contained in annex II to the present recommendation.

Annex I

PROCESS AND THE GUIDELINES FOR THE IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE GLOBAL TAXONOMY INITIATIVE

I. PROCESS

A. Assessing implementation of the programme of work

1.      The activities described in the programme of work for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) include a rationale; expected outputs; a timetable/timing; actors; mechanisms; financial, human resources and other capacity requirements; and pilot projects. Each activity thus contains the necessary elements needed for assessing the level/stage of implementation. 

2.      The relevant information for the review may be obtained from: (i) national reports; (ii) the national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) and documentation prepared during their development; (iii) reports on taxonomy projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF); (iv) reports of regional GTI workshops; and (v) reports on GTI-related activities prepared by international organizations, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations. Additional sources of information are listed in the report on progress and status of the GTI prepared for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (UNEP/CBD/COP/6/INF/23).

B. Assessing effectiveness of the programme of work

3.      An appraisal of the outputs of the planned activities and related pilot projects vis-à-vis the main goals and objectives of the GTI, may provide a baseline for assessing the effectiveness of the programme of work.

II. WAYS AND MEANS FOR UPDATING THE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE GLOBAL TAXONOMY INITIATIVE

4.      The Executive Secretary in collaboration with the Coordination Mechanism for the GTI is reviewing the GTI-related components of the programmes of work on thematic areas and on cross-cutting issues. This review will outline the taxonomic capacity required for the achievement of the targets of the programmes of work in order to strengthen the taxonomic components thereof. The results of this review will be partly reflected in the GTI guide and reported at the eleventh meeting of SBSTTA.

5.      This review will also consider the needs of the new programmes of work and targets developed under the framework of the Strategic Plan of the convention. In addressing gaps in knowledge and tools,  consideration may be made of taxonomy of micro-organisms and other poorly studied taxa, the role of traditional taxonomic knowledge systems, emerging techniques and technologies in taxonomy as well as the distribution of resources and taxonomic capacity vis-à-vis world centres of biodiversity.

6.      The Executive Secretary is also carrying out a comprehensive gap analysis of missing elements of the existing programme of work taking into consideration the proposals prepared by the Coordination Mechanism in its fifth report. 

III. THE PROVISION OF PRACTICAL SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL AND REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE GLOBAL TAXONOMY INITIATIVE

7.      In decision VII/9, the Conference of the Parties invited Parties, other Governments, regional and international organizations to take full account of the importance of taxonomic capacities in achieving the goals of the Convention, to support taxonomic activities to attain the 2010 target, and to provide all necessary support to national, and where appropriate regional, taxonomic centres of research and expertise. The Conference of the Parties also urged Parties, other Governments and relevant funding organizations to provide adequate and timely support to developing countries to assist in the implementation of the Global Taxonomy Initiative, and for integrating taxonomic capacity-building activities into thematic and cross-cutting programmes, including supporting activities and projects, such as, where appropriate, stand-alone capacity-building projects. 

8.      Some of the resources needed to support national and regional implementation of the GTI programme of work, as well as ways in which they can be applied, have been identified in thematic reports and other reports submitted by Parties, in regional workshops, in SBSTTA recommendation II/2, and in decisions III/10, IV/1 D and V/9 of the Conference of the Parties.

9.      Potential synergies between the GTI programme of work and activities carried out by other organizations at a global/regional level, for example, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility in taxonomic information management and sharing, BioNET International, the Plant Resources of South East Asia, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa projects and other regional and national initiatives which involve a large number of institutes could provide practical support for national and regional implementation.

10.      There is a need to compile relevant information on available and potential sources of practical support, share it among stakeholders such as through the clearing-house mechanism, e-forums and proposed partnership-building workshops (section IV below).

11.      The process for the in-depth review of the programme of work for the GTI including a timeframe is presented in the following section.

IV. PROCESS, GUIDELINES AND MECHANISMS FOR MONITORING PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE GLOBAL TAXONOMY INITIATIVE

Annex II

OUTLINE OF THE GLOBAL TAXONOMY INITIATIVE GUIDE [18]/

Foreword

Executive summary

The executive summary provides a condensed narrative of the purpose and scope of the Global Taxonomy Initiative guide and highlights key messages on the Global Taxonomy Initiative, the programme of work and the mechanisms for promoting its implementation.

Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter explains the purpose of the guide, defines the science of taxonomy, and highlights the taxonomic impediment and the reasons why the Global Taxonomy Initiative was established as a cross-cutting issue under the Convention. It describes the types of gaps found in taxonomic work relevant to the Convention and the lack of taxonomic capacity required for the implementation of the Convention. 

Chapter 2: Background

This chapter provides a brief overview of the Convention and describes the historical background of the GTI and its operation within the context of the Convention. It highlights the objectives of the Global Taxonomy Initiative and the processes and mechanisms for its implementation. 

Chapter 3: The programme of work for the Global Taxonomy Initiative

This chapter describes how the programme of work of the Global Taxonomy Initiative can contribute to the implementation of the thematic work programmes and cross-cutting issues of the Convention.  It contains 18 sections representing the 18 planned activities of the Global Taxonomy Initiative work programme. Each section describes the key issues to be addressed, ways and means of implementation; as well as specific activities to be implemented by the Parties and other partners. The chapter also lists ongoing initiatives and programmes, relevant to the respective planned activities.

Chapter 4: Developing the Global Taxonomy Initiative and monitoring its progress

This chapter articulates the range of actions and mechanisms that promote implementation, building on earlier chapters.  The chapter describes pilot projects, the role of national focal points, the clearing-house mechanism and the GTI Coordination Mechanism in the implementation of the programme of work. It also highlights the need for communication, education and public awareness of taxonomic issues. In addition the relationship of the Global Taxonomy Initiative to the Strategic Plan of the Convention and the 2010 biodiversity target, mechanisms for monitoring progress in implementation, including a brief discussion on the forthcoming review of the GTI at the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and its possible impact on future work.

Chapter 5: Funding for the Global Taxonomy Initiative

This chapter explains the resource needs to implement the Global Taxonomy Initiative, how finances can be mobilized for implementing the programme of work. It also highlights various potential funding sources for taxonomy-related projects and provides relevant examples of such projects including GEF-funded projects with a taxonomic component.

Chapter 6: Information sources and useful contacts

This chapter provides information on appropriate taxonomic tools, presented in various text boxes and annexes, useful additional literature and information sources and key partners to assist the Parties in implementing the Global Taxonomy Initiative. Annexes/boxes Annexes and boxes contain supplementary and more technical information, including some texts from decisions of the Conference of the Parties. Annexes will include:

(a)     Supplementary information;

(b)     Information sources and further reading;

(c)     Contact addresses and URLs of key organizations and initiatives;

(d)     Glossary of terms;

(e)     Key paragraphs of decisions of the Conference of the Parties referring explicitly to the Global Taxonomy Initiative or, more generally, to taxonomic needs for implementing the Convention's programmes of work on the thematic areas and cross-cutting issues.

[16]/ UNEP/CBD/COP/7/17/Add.2.

[18]/ The Guide will be a brief and concise document not more than 30 pages, in plain language, aimed at the general public, policy and decision makers and other stakeholders. It will be produced in both hard and electronic formats in all the United Nations official languages.